Moisture-condensing water-collecting device



Dec. 21 1926.

c. w. ARMBRUST MOISTURE CONDENSING WATER COLLECTING DEVICE Filed March 21922 WMJWMJ 56%? Y BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

lll ll'lE dell rains.

CHARLES W. ARMBRUST, OF ALBANY, YORK.

Application filed March 25, 1922. Serial No. 546,654.

This invention relates to water collecting devices and has for itsobject the provision of a simple means whereby the moisture, fromexhaled atmosphere for example, can be condensed. and collected to besaved for further use. The invention is particularly useful in placeswhere water is scarce or where it is not obtainable from customarysources.

A further object includes the provision of a simple, compact, economicaland efficient moisture-condensing and collecting device, which can bereadily applied when necessity requires.

Other objects will appear hereinafter, and I attain these objects by themechanism illustrated in the accompanying dawing of which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of the flutter valve.

Fig. l is a view on lines e ll of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of therrow.

The same numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In accordance with my invention I provide a condensing container 10which is provided with supporting straps or belt 11 attached to ears 10for fastening the container to the body of the user. The container ispreferably made from suitable metal, as brass, which is preferablyniclielplated or heavily coated and tinned. This containeror condensermay be of any suitable size or shape and in the preferred form, assnown, it is disk-shaped, the two disks'being united at a median line,as is clearly indicated by Fig. 4. D

As best shown in Fig. 1, the container is provided with a main receivingtube 12, a relief tube 13 and a saliva collector 14l, terminating in awell 15, which is provided with a screw cap 16. The receiving tube isfurther provided with a main deflecting passage or inner breathing tube17, which opens directly into the container at 18. This tube may beprotected by a saliva deflector and screen 19, for permitting passagethere through only of the moisture laden breath to the collector orcondensing receptacle. An extension 20, of any suitable length, may beprovided for the main receiving tube and this extension may be providedwith a use;

21,for applying a convenient holder 22 containing a strap for fasteningto the head of the wearer. A suitable mouth piece 24 furnishes means forexhaling into the condenser. To protect the device from beingcontaminated by germ-laden atmosphere or dust entering therein, themouth piece 2 may be conveniently provided with a suitable stopper 25,which may be safely attached by a chain or cord 26.

The relief tube 13 may be provided with a coupling 27, which may bescrew-threaded at 28, for readily detaching, and a ring 29 safely holdsthe coupling in place. The coupling 27 may be provided with an extensionor exhaling tube 30, carrying a supporting neck 31, onto which there isfitted a relief or flutter valve 32. Applied to the neck 31 is asupporting clamp 33, which is fastened on the holding strap 23, by anysuitable means, as a plate 34 and rivets 35, as is best shown in Fig. 2.

The relief or flutter valve may be of any desired shape and size, but ina preferred form, as illustrated, it consists of two lip pieces 36 and37 which close together against admission of external air, but open uponslight increase of pressure from within. This construction permitsexhaled air to be respired through the mouthpiece 24, thence through theextension tube 20, deflecting tube 17 into the container or condenser,where by condensation it is relieved of practically all its moisture ifthe temperature of the atmosphere is low enough and thereafter passesout through the relief tube, the exhale tube and the flutter valve tothe open atmosphere. By thus passing through the apparatus, as abovedescribed, which is by way of illustration, merely, practically all themoisture contained in the exhaled atmosphere or breath is condensed andthus saved and collected in the container whence it be obtained asdesired. The invention is particularly useful in connection with reliefexpeditions and armies marching through desert territory, or where anarmy or detachment is cut off from a water-supply. It is also useful onships in other connections where a supply of water is not available.

While I have described a specific embodiment of my invention and a modeof applying the same, I do not thereby desire to be understood as havingthus limited myself, as obvious modifications falling wholly within thespirit and scope of my invention will readily suggest themselves .tothose versed inthe art.

What 1 claim, therefore, as new and useful and of my own invention anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a moisture-condensing and Watercollecting device, a containerprovided with an inlet tube and an outlet tube, a deflector tube withinone of said tubes, and means attached to said outlet for permittingexhaled air to pass in one direction only.

2. In a moisture-condensing and watercollecting device, a containerprovided with an inlet and an outlet, tubes connected to said inlet andoutlet, a deflector tube within said inlet tube, said deflector tubeopening into said container through the Walls of said inlet tube, andmeans on the outlet tube for closing and opening by difference ofatmospheric pressure within and without said. container.

8. In a moistLire-condensing and watercollecting device, a containerprovided with an inlet and an outlet, tubes associated with said inletand outlet, a concentrically located tube within one of said tubes, awell in said container, and an extension on one of said associated tubesreaching into said well.

4. In a moisture-condensing and Watercollecting device, a containerprovided with an inlet and an outlet, tubes associated with said inletand outlet, a concentrically located tube within one of said tubes, amouthpiece on one of said tubes, and a valve on the other of said tubes.

5. In a moisture-condensing and watercollecting device, a containerprovided with an inlet and an outlet, tubes associated with said inletand outlet, a mouthpiece on one of said tubes for receiving exhaledbreath, a deflector tube within one of said tubes, and a flutter valvefor permitting expired air to pass out of the container.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 27th day ofJanuary A. D.

CHARLES XV. ARMBRUST.

